Fatshimetrie, September 24, 2024 – The investigation into the murder of Giress Manzanza, an activist of the ECIDé political party in Kasa-Vubu, continues to fuel debates within the Gombe garrison military court in Kinshasa. During the hearing held on Tuesday at the general police inspectorate in Lingwala, the defendant, a police officer named Iyoko, vigorously rejected the accusations against him, stating that he was not the perpetrator of the crime attributed to him.
Before the court, police officer Iyoko categorically denied any responsibility for the death of Giress Manzanza, arguing that he had never committed such an act. In particular, he asked the authorities to provide him with material evidence such as a photo or video incriminating him in the murder of the victim. In addition, he claimed to have a photo of a deceased person but specified that it was not Giress Manzanza. This statement was strongly contested by the prosecution, which maintains that Officer Iyoko confessed to being the perpetrator of the crime during his initial interrogation.
The proceedings also focused on the circumstances surrounding the incident, with Officer Iyoko claiming to have shot in self-defense to protect his superior, the company commander. He emphasized his status as a police officer and his hierarchical obedience, insisting that he was innocent of the charges against him. However, the civil party’s lawyer denounced these statements as an attempt at diversion aimed at obscuring the obvious truth contained in the police reports.
Sent to trial for violation of orders and murder, Officer Iyoko remains at the heart of a case that is making headlines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The murder of Giress Manzanza, which occurred in front of the headquarters of his political party, has deeply shocked public opinion and rekindled political tensions in the country. Thus, the outcome of the trial of police officer Iyoko will be closely scrutinized, while the quest for justice and truth remains at the center of the concerns of Congolese citizens.